The Dawson Family_Russet Road

Remembering the Changes

2009-02-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

Remar 2000

The usual updates-work is fine, my little girl has grown so much, finally she said "dada!" yea!!! This year has been hard for Jolie. She's without her mother for the first time and she's still depressed that we're not pregnant.

We've been trying, believe me, we've been trying. Every chance we got, but no such luck.

Jolie's been trying not to mourn the absence of another child and instead enjoy our daughter who tends to find herself in the backyard at all hours of the day. She wants to take up jogging with her father, so I, of course, will spoil her and allow her to jog with me on my next jog...granted that she's awake at that hour.

Remembering the Good

2009-02-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

Remar 2000

This month started with a bang! Little Grace Elise turned 5! Wow, my baby is growing up! She looks like her grandmother. Since this is the month of rememberence, we made sure to share silly stories of my mom with Grace Elise and show her plenty of family photos.

I changed my hairstyle. I'm getting older and that was too much hair to take care of, so I cut most of it off. Jorge seems to like my new hairstyle as we've been having more intimate moments lately. Dancing in the dark, caresses as we pass each other. I would still like another baby, but it seems like nature doesn't intend for us to get pregnant again.

So I'm trying to focus on enjoying what I do have. A great husband, healthy little girl, job that I love and beautiful home.

I got the job!

2008-12-31T18:47:00.000-08:00

Not only did I make the team, but my expertise-and the fact that they were desperate-earned me a spot on a crew that protects the coasts of Apple Valley, Apple Valley Metro and PU Campus. So now I spend my days in a ship circling the islands looking for bandits. Right now my post is the PU Campus...maybe eventually I'll work my way up.

Not Bad

2008-12-30T18:44:00.000-08:00

Our new home is not bad. We live next door to the Humphrey family, also the Warwicks. Thier daughter, S'Ahmisa has already offered to babysit Grace Elise whenever I want. Grace Elise is the only toddler here and she loves the set of Llama Riders that they have. *sigh* I wish I could have a younger sibling for her to play with...soon, she'll celebrate her child birthday and enter school...what will I do then.

I've been thinking about getting my hair done differently...maybe a new style would suit me better.

New Lodging

2008-12-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

Well, we moved into our new home...well, perhaps I should say my daughter's new home and my temporary stay until death comes my way. I am one of the last of the elders on this island and it's lonely to say the least. Li Sweeny wants to meet with me and discuss plans for a retirement community, bugger-she's asking the wrong sim. I would rather be in my lab than some old folks' home.

Losing Streak

2008-12-28T18:31:00.000-08:00

I lost the election to Carmela Herendez. She called to have a few words after the election, not gloating, but very nicely saying that I had a great speech and campaign and if I had any concerns to let her know. She will do fine in the position, Jorge says not to worry about it, I would have been too busy anyway. That's not very comforting...then again, he did comfort me in a way that only he knows how.

I've been busy this winter, still packing for the move. We decided on a home. It's a LOT smaller than what we have now. Two bedroom, one bath home. Meaning that mom and Grace Elise will share a room and then when we have another child, they will also share the room. It should be better once Grace Elise is older and doesn't need her crib...or changing table anymore.

Legacy

2008-12-24T18:51:00.000-08:00

I told the children that I am leaving a bit of money to be spent on Grace Elise's violin lessons. I don't know, nor do I care, if she has any talent. She will have to take lessons. The latest research says that playing the violin helps great minds become greater and I know that she's a very smart little girl and with some prodding will become the greatest mind ever!

Fruit

2008-12-22T17:58:00.000-08:00

Will we ever get pregnant? Not to complain, but this is becoming a chore. It's no longer fun and games, but now it's "i'm fertile-let's go!"

My job is going away, so I need to find other work...I am thinking of joining a team that is excavating the ruins in the south end of the island. Some bones were discovered there and they need sims on the team. I submitted an application-so wish me luck.

Desperately Wanting

2008-12-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

another baby in the house. Jorge and I are trying to get pregnant and it seems like mother nature is working against us.

Tis the season

2008-12-14T17:54:00.000-08:00

I invited Pastor Lyndon over this simday to give him a gift from our family. It was mostly a few dishes that Jolie made and then froze for the family, but also a small check as a token of appreciation for his hard work. Also, it's been snowing and we allowed Grace Elise out in the snow-we had to keep an eye on her, that girls loves to stuff snow in her mouth.

Growing Older, Passing On

2008-12-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

I've officially turned in my letter of retirement. I want to enjoy my freetime before death comes for me. I've been training Julio on the basics that he needs for managing a Medical Centre and recruiting new employees. With the financial crisis, he will not need many-any-employees in an effort to gain a profit, but eventually, once the economy turns around, he will need to start hiring.

Night Out

2008-11-15T18:55:00.000-08:00

I decided to treat myself and attend a concert at Smokey Jane's. No husband, no kiddies, just me and a nice fruity adult beverage. It was very relaxing to say the least...yes, I was distracted by the flavors in the drink wondering if I could make a cookbook about cocktails, but the performance was ok...but the cocktail...does raspberry and llamamelon really accent each other's flavors?

Death!!!!

2008-11-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

My husband has died!!! I can not believe it. All the elders in the hood are dying so quickly, I suppose I must be next...still, Ellsworth wasn't the healthiest, his mind was leaving him...he often put his belt in the fridge, but that's a natural part of aging...

Daddy's Gone

2008-11-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

Daddy is dead...it was so sudden and I feel so lost. I mean, daddy was like the stone in our family. True he was fading away mentally, but it's like my worst fears have come true...my father is dead! Now I'm scared about mother and if she will make it. I know that death is a natural part of life, but I don't want it to happen to my family. On top of daddy's death, Jorge and I still are not pregnant. We've been trying and trying with no avail.

Distant Life

2008-10-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

With the prescence of aliens in our hood, many residents can be found talking about life on distant planets. I am not immune. I don't care about the talk of the culture of the other alien colonies, but I want to know the technology and health advancements that can be learned from other civilizations. Do they hold the cure for disease? Can they hold off the effects of aging?

Rapidly Growing

2008-09-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Little Grace is rapidly growing into big Gracie. She is keeping our hands full with her antics. She hates the potty, she'll sit on it for 2 seconds and then crawl off, but she loves learning to walk, I think she knows that she can move faster once she walks. Jorge and I are going to take her outside to play once it snows, until then, she'll practice walking and talking inside.

Daddy's Little Girl

2008-09-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Grace Elise is such a cutie, everyday I come home to her smiling face and her sweet giggles. I would like to give her a baby brother, but Jolie and I want to wait until she's at least potty trained.

Happy Birthday Grace Elise!

2008-09-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

My little girl is a toddler now! Time flies so fast! I am glad that she is now a toddler, we can focus on teaching her how to walk and talk and use the potty, which will be a big help since Jorge and I have renewed our interest in having another child. The fat comment is behind us and we are devoted to strengthening our relationship. The counseling with Pastor Humphrey was well needed and it helped us with our communication.

A Birthday!

2008-09-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that I have lived long enough to see this. The birthday of my granddaugter, Grace Elise. Johan's twins will also be celebrating a birthday and Ellsworth and I will attend the small gathering. I doubt that will we be able to see any more birthdays...our time is fast approaching.

Quality Time

2008-09-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

I am still hurt over Jorge's fat comments. I honestly don't see what difference a few pounds make, but then again we are talking about mr. health nut himself. He is always streaching and jogging and drinking awful shakes! I'm a baker for goodness sakes! I'm supposed to be thick! Jorge insists that he still loves me and has been trying to make me forget that comment, but now I find that I hide my body from him and I am not as confident as I once was. I don't know what to do, he is trying to apologize and trying to look the other way concerning the extra pounds, but I can't forget it...perhaps we should see Pastor Humphrey for counseling.

To SH!

2008-09-01T15:23:00.001-07:00

I was part of the team that was sent to Simmington Hills to help with thier recovery efforts. A large storm made everyone fear that the residents were lost forever, but we were able to save many residents and even some buildings. I will still help with the cleanup, but remotely from now on. That helicopter ride caused quite a sore in my back.

New Residents

2008-08-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

There are rumors that Apple Valley may expand it's borders and accept some more residents. That would be a welcome change since this hood is so small and every resident is basically related to the other. I think our children will have to look beyond the hood for life partners if they do not want to intermarry eventually. Jolie doesn't like the thought of more residents, she says it spoils the small town charm of AV, I don't know.

Recording Data

2008-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

Jan wants me to record as much medical data and information from the Medical Centre as I can. When Elle died, her work was in disarray and it took simdays to muddle through it all. Thankfully we had plenty of experience and knew what she was referring to, but Julio...he doesn't has as much experience and he will need all the help he can get. Jan has him studying and preparing every simday during his shift while I spend my shift getting records in order. I wonder if we should move to an online record storage system? That would make things easier, but it would also be more upkeep on our part and on Li's part and I have a feeling that with all the new iniatives that she wouldn't welcome the additional work.

Election?

2008-08-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

Well, it is out of my hands. The election is in the hands of the residents, they will judge who will sit in the new hood council. I am nervous. This election has caused my friendship with Carmela to suffer, so I will be glad once everything is done to restore our friendship. She is like a mentor to me, if I didn't love the bakery so much I would stay at home just so that I could be a member of the Homemaker's Society.

Strange Blogs

2008-08-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have been browsing the web for science articles and stumbled across a strange set of blogs detailing blue and green aliens. It is well know that there are two part blue alien sims here in Apple Valley. I try to keep an eye on one of them, the boy, he is always looking through his telescope searching the sky. Now I have found some blog that details a lonely blue alien searching for his family and is sending signals for them to pick him up...could that be the same one?

Whew!

2008-08-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

The pounds are melting off, I don't know how long they will stay off. I am a baker afterall and you can never trust a skinny baker! Perhaps my other cookbook should be a healthy eating cookbook. Low sugar sweets, high fiber meals, beverages packed with vitamins and minerals.

Ugh, anything other than this stupid exercise bike! But I won't let Jorge see me struggle. It's bad enough that he said that I looked fat and he perfered me thinner! I mean, aren't you supposed to accept your spouse as is? I love him dearly and am very attracted to him (so are a lot of other women-grrr!), I wonder if I would feel the same if his six pack became a keg, or he started to lose his hair.

Time is Passing

2008-08-10T18:25:00.000-07:00

My time is near, nothing can stop that. Thankfully my will is updated so that all our children and grandchildren benefit, including our children in other hoods. There isn't much left here to leave behind. Jolie is heir to the house and I do not fear about her future, she has a wise head on her shoulders. I have noticed that my tongue escapes me and I spend my time talking about the past with my daughter, about her favorite nursery rhymes and how I, too, had to learn how to be a better parent.

Clear Skys

2008-08-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

With winter here the sky is much clearer, I have been searching for remarkable objects. Nothing in particular, just stars and the occasional planet or constellation. I have not left my first love of health and medicine.

Even I know that my time is limited, especially so since I can feel the ache in my knees, the shortness of breath. Yes, my time is coming. Until then I am training Julio to take my place at the Medical Centre and am enjoying time with the family and my books. Ellsworth is doing the same. Sometimes at night when everyone is asleep we stay up talking about the fact that death is upon our back, waiting to steal our breath. We then turn the conversation to things of a lighter note such as the newest advancements in medical technology and training the new generation for the medical centre. There isn't enough teens interested in medicine and technology to continue the clinic, eventually there will be a need to pull staff from other areas.

Fitness for the Family

2008-08-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

Jolie has gained a few pounds after the birth of our daughter. I must admit, I hate it. She often asks if she looks fat and I made the fatal error one time of telling her the truth-let's just say I learned my lesson. So now Jolie joins me for my morning jog and we even have plans to visit the medical centre to experience the rehabilation gym there.

Baby Dedication

2008-07-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Pastor Lyndon stopped by for coffee and we discussed plans for baby Grace Elise's baby dedication. We plan on having it during a large baby dedication service (there are now seven new babies on the island). Afterwards there will be a general fellowship time with some tea and hot cocoa and formal photos.

I updated the kitchen during my time off. Jorge wants me to stop spending money, but I need a nice kitchen to cook and perfect my recipes. Speaking of recipes, my photo shoot is coming soon for the cookbook. I can't wait.

Shopping for Freshness

2008-07-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

Work at CupaJava is going well. Baking all those amazing recipes has gotten me experimenting in the kitchen more. In fact I walked to Farmer's Market and looked at thier fresh veggies. Yes-only looked. Sometimes looking gives me ideas about possible food combinations and recipes. In fact, the eggplants got me to thinking about a sweet eggplant cake. Yes, a veggie cake. Healthy and delicious! Perhaps another recipe for my latest cookbook. The last one sold very well, it was hard work, but we used the proceeds from the book to start little Grace Elise's college fund.

Visiting

2008-07-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

Ellsworth and I had to stop in Apple Valley to greet our newest grandchildren! I couldn't get over how sweet and precious they are. We are almost done with our travels and I have a feeling when we come back to Apple Valley for the last time...we will be greeted with death. The only worry I have is the Medical Centre. Elle Kent recently passed, bless her soul, and Ellsworth and I are not to far behind her. Will Julio be prepared to man the centre? We need to bring in a nurse trainee and pharmacist if he decides to accept the assignment and move up the career ladder.

Welcome Grace Elise!

2008-06-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

We had our first child, a daughter named Grace Elise. She is so precious, I can't help but stare at her all day. Mom and Dad are still visiting the other siblings but they'll be home soon.

Winning

2008-05-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

What a wondeful simday! I won the cooking competition with my sweet bon bon entry and then I was invited to a baby shower in my honor! Wow!

Family Time-Roswell

2008-05-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

Well, we visited our daughter, Janet, in Roswell. It was a very nice trip-we got a wedding and a granddaughter, Gabiela, out of the trip. Not to mention seeing her again. We're headed to Riverdale to see Jodi and her twins and of course we're coming back to witness the birth of our other grandchildren from Jolie and Johan.

Cookbook

2008-05-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

Pennelson Publishing offered me a three part contract to publish my cookbooks! I am so excited! I have been working very hard on the books-when not working at CupaJava or resting during this pregnancy. I'm excited, my boss even said that I can have a book signing at the store during the Food Expo and that he'll put copies of my books for sale. Yea!

Baking for Simmies-basic recipes and even some children's recipes.

Baking for Celebrations-recipes for all types of celebrations-weddings, funerals, parties

Baking Thru The Seasons-recipes according to the season

Lovely Wedding and Grandchild

2008-05-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

Just returned from visiting Janet in Roswell and we stopped back home before moving on to visit Jodi and her husband and the twins in Riverdale.

Janet surprised us by getting married while we were there and delivering our granddaughter, Gabriela . We had such a great time and we were able to bring home so amazing photos and paintings. I almost forgot how well Janet is with painting.

Redecorating

2008-04-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

I found the perfect inspiration to redecorate the house (kitchen and living room), perhaps because of the coming baby, perhaps because I want to truly make this home Jorge and mine and not my parents-but I've been in the mood to decorate! Li told me about this website-it's for weddings, but I love how they combined the colors for several inspiration boards.

I then determined my color scheme of lilac, white, celadon & taupe:

The colors remind me of a nice english garden, don't you think?

Then I spent some time doing a bit of online shopping since I can't waddle around the hood looking for items and then I ordered a few things and told Li about my redecorating desires. She said that she would do a write up in the paper about it. So the final results will be published online for the world to see. But here's what the results are:

New wallpaper from Lyran's Sims, a new facade for the fireplace, some shelves to hold our beloved photos and momentos.

A new seating set for the living room, some flowers, paintings and new carpeting and tile throughout.

New items for the kitchen from Around the Sims including the dining room table. New fridge, curtains, counters, etc. Everything is so light and airy now. I love it!

Personal Training

2008-04-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

I put an ad in the paper offering my services as a personal training. I love working out and staying healthy. Especially with a baby on the way-I want to be fit to run around after the little tyke. Maybe we can go jogging together! My job at The Peacock requires me to be fit and in shape-those dinners can get heavy, but in my free time I love to work out and everything! I should make a fitness video! I can do better than that nut Fitness with Fanny! I'll call it Jogging with Jorge...or Get Fit with Jorge! Yea!

Election Time

2008-03-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

I'm running for Community Director. It's official. I threw my name in the hat and now I'm trying to campaign. Mostly chatting up residents and finding out the issues. I don't know how much I'll be able to campaign with the pregnancy, but I will try my best. Right now Jorge is helping me develop my platform, I'm thinking of something along the lines of building the arts and culture of the isle.

Making New Friends

2008-03-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

I shared a table with Grex Mendenhall, the farmer of the isle. He's a bit shy, I wonder if it's because we kids used to tease him about his mother being green. I hope that's all under the bridge now. I mean, we were kids and it was all in fun. My brothers want to meet for a "bros nite out". Until something like a sports bar or nightclub gets built, it will be a pretty boring nite out.

Owning The Peacock

2008-03-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

There are rumors that The Peacock is up for grabs and I'm considering buying it, but I'm not sure about it.

I love baking and my job at CupaJava is wonderful, I get to create wonderful baked goods and sometimes even wedding cakes and catered events. I would have to give up my job with CupaJava (possibly)

I'm not sure about running a business. I'm not the best chef out there-besides baking-so being the chef at The Peacock would be very hard to say the least.

I could simply manage The Peacock and keep my job with CupaJava, but the more I think about it, the more I simply don't want that responsibility. Maybe another sim...but not me, I don't want to spend my days managing a business and running employees.

A baby!

2008-03-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

We're pregnant!!!

Jolie took a pregnancy test and she's pregnant. We're going to have a baby. I hope her parents stay alive long enough to see at least one of thier grandchildren. Jolie's sister, Jodi, has twins, but she lives in another hood; her brother Joey has no children (and emmigrated after the storm); Johan and his wife are expecting; and her youngest sister, Janet, is engaged with no children.

I wonder what we will name the child?

Marriage?

2008-03-03T13:18:00.000-08:00

Janet is engaged? I think my ears are getting old. I never thought that child would marry! And she's marrying a scientist! Joy! Music to my ears! At least the grandchildren will be a bit calmer. I'm not sure what quite happened with Janet. True, she was our "little surprise" but she didn't follow any of the scholarly (or even family oriented) pursuits like her siblings. Well, Jan and I are making the trip to meet the young man and see our daughter. Time is limited since we both know that we are not getting younger. Already sims our age are dying and that is not comforting to see your friends die around you.

Traveling

2008-03-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

Ellsworth and I are making a trip to Roswell to visit Janet and meet her new fiance. I am still shocked that her sister found out about the engagement before I did and that she found out from her cousin. We were thinking about taking some souveniors, but we're going to travel light and have her engagement present shipped ahead of us. That girl! She'll be the death of me yet!
We're also going to stop by Riverdale and see Jodi and the twins. As usual, we will ship the presents for the grandchildren ahead of time. I can't wait.

Family Travels

2008-02-05T09:07:00.000-08:00

We're thinking about taking a family vacation now that we're back on dry land, but where? Perhaps to the mountains to see the snow. I don't know if Jan and I will be able to travel, we're getting so old and slow. I feel my bones creaking and I know my days are numbered. I hope to see a grandchild before my final day arrives.

Eating for Two...?

2008-01-22T13:42:00.000-08:00

We're trying to get pregnant. As a result, I want to eat better and live better, so I went to buy some organic produce from the market. When I get pregnant, I wonder what we will have? My sister, Jodi, had twins. Mom and dad's first grandchildren. Now maybe I'll be next to have children.

What Next?

2008-01-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

What will I do next, after serving my time with the military? Jolie thinks I should join a local business, but what? I could be a tour guide, but honestly, I wouldn't mind being a personal trainer. I am fit and in shape, very healthy and attractive. I could help at the Medical Centre's Rehabilitation Unit twice a week and still bring in a nice salary. Maybe even three times a week once I get enough clients, but who would my clients be? Maybe I could look into massage therapy. That would bring in some good money.

New Job

2007-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

Jan wants me to consider joining the staff at the Medical Centre. Currently I'm a surgeon at the downtown hospital, but if I join the Medical Centre I would be in charge of plastic surgery and other minor surgeries. I would spend my days consulting with patients and procedures. I think I wouldn't mind, I would still have my pension as well as a salary from the Medical Centre.

Hard Work

2007-12-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

Such hard work baking - during breaks it is interesting-sat with brother-in-law as he enjoyed the free doughnuts. I am thinking of renovating the house, restoring it to it's original victorian glory. But finding the materials will be hard, but I think it can be done.

Gardens

2007-11-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

Jolie wants to work on the gardden this summer and asked my permission-as if I care!

My youngest daughter moved to Roswell for university and I am now manager of the Medical Centre. Things are changing much to fast.

My Job

2007-11-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

After graduation I got a job! I'm the baker at CupaJava. Since it is summertime I spend my days baking Tartelette au Citrons and Mimosa Cakes. Apparently-according to my handy dandy baking schedule-the day before fall, I will start baking Religieuse au Café for the fall menu. Gosh, the work is hard-my back hurts from so much bending.

Honeymoon

2007-11-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

Got a nice honeymoon-now gotta get back to the hood-gotta sign up with the army for four simdays to pay back my student loan which means a haircut-goodbye hair!

Also, Jolie's little sister is moving to another hood which means more space in the house and perhaps the start of our own little family. I wonder if we would have twins? My mother had two sets of twins (me and my older brothers) so it's possible.

My Sister Married

2007-11-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

That means another sim in the house, less room and more pressure on me to leave. I've been looking into immigrating to another hood. I think I like a few of them and have sent letters of inquiry. I wonder if they would accept me.

EDIT: I just checked my email, I've been accepted to Roswell!!!

Salary!

2007-11-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

What!?!?!

The hood council voted to stop me from gaining profit shares from the hospital. That means every penny that I earn must be reinvested into the center. Grrr, maybe I should open my own private pratice, I hate having only $1500 a simweek in salary versus the profits and bonuses I get for managing a great medical center. Where's the motivation in making the center better?

Grandparents

2007-11-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Jodi and her husband, Zac, had twins. I had to find out from thier hood's newspaper! Not even a post to her family saying-I am pregnant-I am married-I had twins! Nothing! Ah well, we sent them some toys for the twins. I hope I can see a photo of my first grandchildren soon. Janet is looking into immigrating-I knew it was coming, but I didn't think it would be so soon. Johan and Jadhira are marrying this next simday-they decided to have a destination wedding on Tiki Island. Joey and Giselle are doing well-no sign of grandchildren from them yet.

Married

2007-10-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

I am now married. The wedding was very nice, we had the ceremony in the new botanical gardens, then the reception was at the Apple Valley Ballroom at The Centre. Jorge's family was nice enough to pay for the honeymoon, none of his family members came-his brothers were too busy apparently (well, two of his brothers are in other hoods) and his father just died.

Daughter-in-Law

2007-10-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

Jadhira stopped by the house the other day. She will make a great daughter-in-law. We sat and talked about the enviromental changes occuring across the nation and the impact it has on the health of sims and flowers. She opened her florist shop, that is nice, maybe Johan would get more simoleans than that little teacher's salary. That reminds me, I must go to Farmer's Market and spend my $100 gift certificate.

Married Man

2007-10-09T11:58:00.002-07:00

Jolie and I married so now I'm a husband.

Life is Good

2007-10-02T07:57:00.001-07:00

I'm a teen-a hot teen if I do say so myself. I'm thinking about what I want to do once I become an adult-big brother Johan said I should look at moving to another hood-but where? Somewhere cool-that's where! Roy said that he wants to be a teacher and might move to another hood to do so-well good riddance to him! I thought he was kind of cute.

Medical Centre Note-Health Insurance

2007-09-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

I report to the Community Director and one of her objectives is to research health insurance options. Thus this assignment falls to me. I've looked at other hoods to see how thier health insurance works and if health insurance is a neccessary part of Apple Valley life.

The fundamental concept of insurance is that it balances costs across a large, random sample of sims. Apple Valley is a small sample of sims and in addition, medical costs are low in the hood and sims do not utilize the medical centre as often except for prescriptions. Also, there has not been a need for expensive procedures such as surgeries and intensive testing.

Current Medical Fees
Broken Limb $1,500 (0)
IVF Treatment $5,000 (1)
Induced Labor $2,500 (1)
Consulation with Doctor $100 (0)
Plastic Surgery/per part $3,000 (0)
Prescription Medicine $450 (4)
to be added
Rehabilitation Services/per simday $500 (0)
Midwifery Services (including pre-natal care, delivery, 1st check-up) $1000 (0)

There are numerous health care options, I would recommend a non-profit hood funded/managed healthcare system. This can be accomplished by having an additional tax for each household (say about $50-$100/simweek). This would currently provide about $900-$1800 a simweek for the healthcare bank. This money can be used to reduce the cost of services for residents that use it during the simweek. However, this would require more thought and planning.

Due to the lack of need for a health insurance and amount of difficulty in creating such a program, I recommend that the topic be shelved until next simweek to see if any changes have been noted in the hood and the health of the residents. Until then, residents can use the options currently available to them (installment plans, welfare assistance application, healthy living).

Discussions

2007-09-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

Johan stopped by for dinner (actually dessert), he stayed out the way while Jan and I talked to Janet about her plans for the future. She said that she didn't have any...doesn't she know that we won't live forever!!! Johan then suggested that she leave the hood and help out another fledging hood that needs adults, it would be good for her to become involved in the beginning. Why is he trying to send Janet away? Maybe because his fiance isn't native to Apple Valley...still, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that idea.

Wedding Planning

2007-09-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've been spending a little time planning our wedding. I've decided on a color scheme:
lilac, white and taupe.
I have chosen a dress from A.Pentragnani, it was a discarded design from a prior collection that never took off, so I'm getting that dress and they're creating a collection for me. Jorge will need a tuxedo and by the time we marry, his nephew (Verde) will be a toddler. I wish I had a flower girl *sigh* I know the wedding will be in my parent's backyard-in the house that will eventually be mine ^_^. Mum said that they would start planting some nice plants and tulips so the yard would be blooming and pretty in time for the wedding. Naturally I'm creating the menu, but the wedding will be simple. A simple afternoon ceremony and reception with tea and roses and little snacks and a yummy cake.

Now What

2007-08-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a painting for father's birthday, but I wonder what's next for me. I know that I was the surprise baby and mother and father are now elders and I am only a teen. Jolie will be coming home soon and they are looking forward to grandchildren...I think I'll call Sophie and go bowling

I Got the Job!!!

2007-08-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

I am now the administrator/teacher for Apple Valley Secondary Academy!!!! I will teach the teens everything they need to know to prepare for university. There will be some guest teachers, Pablo Herendez signed up to teach a gym class and Tatiana Garris signed up to teach a cooking class. I move into the house this simday and school starts simMonday. I will have five students, wow!

O, I proposed to Jadhira, she said yes and she's moving into the house with me! yippee!

Engagements

2007-08-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well, Jolie called from university and told us that she's engaged to Jorge. He'll be moving into the house with her once she graduates. This comes after the news of Johan's engagement to Jadhira. It looks like the Dawsons will be very busy with weddings for a while, though no sign of grandchildren yet...I wonder what's taking Joey and Giselle so long?

Medical Centre Note-Lectures

2007-08-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

To get more patrons out to the clinic and learning about thier health, I started a series of health classes at the clinic. The classes are held outside, so passerbys would be interested to stop by. The lectures are every simMonday, simWednesday and simFriday at 3pm (about three lectures a season). There is wheat cake and herbal tea for refreshments and Q&A as well.

Lectures Schedule:
Keeping Cool this Summer (Summer 1, Day 1) -Ellsworth Dawson

Exercise and Health (Summer 1, Day 3)-Jan Dawson

Basic First Aid (Summer 1, Day 5)

Preparing for Cold & Flu Season (Fall 1, Day 2)
Safe Babysitting Practices (Fall 1, Day 5)

Engaged

2007-08-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

I'm engaged!!! Jorge proposed, it wasn't that romantic, it was over breakfast at the cafeteria, but still. It's an engagement ring! It's pretty, a heriloom ring actually, one of his grandmother's rings. It's gold with a sapphire surrounded with small diamonds. Very nice. I have to tell my family! And find a dress!

Stone Veins

2007-08-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

There is a case of stone veins in the hood. The first case I ever saw, but after looking back through the records, there may have been another case, but simply undiagnosed. From my research:

Stone Veins

What is Stone Veins?

What are the sign and symptoms of Stone Veins?

How is Stone Veins diagnosed and evaluated?

What is the treatment for Stone Veins?

What is Stone Veins?
Stone Veins is a rare terminal blood disorder that affects less than 1% of the sim population. The condition develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked by the tightening and imflammation of the blood vessels. Stone Veins has a strong hereditary tendency, although the exact cause is unknown.

What are the sign and symptoms of Stone Veins?
The inflammation of the arteries can lead to poor blood supply to tissues of the body in patients with Stone Veins. This can cause painful, cool or blanched extremities, dizziness, headaches, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Other early symptoms can include fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever.

How is Stone Veins diagnosed and evaluated?
During a physical examination, the doctor will look for signs that are indicative of periphStone Veins, including weak or absent artery pulses in the extremities, specific sounds that can be heard over the arteries with a stethoscope, changes in blood pressure in the limbs, and skin color and nail changes due to tissue ischemia. In addition to the history of symptoms and the physical signs of Stone Veins described above, doctors can use imaging tests and blood tests in the diagnosis of the disease.

What is the treatment for Stone Veins?
If Stone Veins detected early enough, it can be treated by suppressing the inflammation with medication. However, most patients do not improve, and stronger medications which suppress the immune system and relieve pain are used until the patient's demise.

Medical Centre Note-List of Services

2007-07-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Decided to make a list of the services available from the Medical Centre in addition to primary care and diagnosis:

Inpatient Care
Plastic Surgery: includes pre-surgery consultation to determine what the patient desires and how to accomplish this, the surgery and one day of inpatient admittance to monitor the patient's health.
Childbirth: includes pre-natal visits and check-ups, deliver either in hospital or at home, and first healthy baby check-up.

Out-Patient Care
Setting of Broken Limbs
Weight Loss Assistance: consultation with doctor to determine a healthy plan to lose weight with regular check-ups to monitor progress.
Physical Rehabilitation: consultation with doctor to determine a healthy plan to gain use of limbs again with regular check-ups to monitor progress.

Celebrity

2007-07-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Do I want to be a celebrity? I seem prone to the glittering lights of simmywood, I've even been watching the local celebrities trying to learn what that "it" factor is that makes them famous.

If I wanna be famous, I need to move out of this little bitty hood and go somewhere like Palatial Heights or Simborough, where aging is slow, celebrities are numerous and the hood is larger with more places to see and be seen.

Medical Centre Note-Pharmacy

2007-07-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

Too many sims are trying to buy prescription drugs in bulk. This means that we keep large amounts of drugs in inventory, which isn't good. From now on, I will have to personally give each sim the appropiate prescription and only sell over the counter drugs at the pharmacy.

Right now there are three prescription drugs with regionally imposed expiration dates-so they must be taken within two simdays of purchase, so it's not good to save for future usage. :

-A pill (available by prescription only from Katy76) that cures the common cold, flu or pnemionia pretty quickly. I will now only prescribe the drug in cases of pneumonia, flus and colds that have been longer than two simdays and virus. The sufferers from the common cold can buy OTC drugs, drink lots of orange juice and rest.

-A pill (available by prescription only from Katy76) that aids in weight loss. Will only be prescribed in extreme cases after a battery of tests measuring fat percentage, family history, and pysche evaluation. Otherwise, sims can consult with me and we'll create a fitness and health plan that includes dieting and exercise to lose weight.

-A pill (available by prescription only from Katy76) that aids in insomnia.

Son Married Off

2007-07-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Joey is married, Johan will probably be next. He's been looking at his grandmother's vintage ring, I think he will offer that to Jadhira. J&J, funny how those Simborough women found loves with thier same initials.
The hood is in a tizzy (is that a valid word) with the proposal for the new school. Naturally, Johan is applying for the position. Currently he teaches at an elementary school downtown, but he's taking his certification test for secondary education. I wish him luck of course.
Jolie is doing well at university and Janet...well, she's a typical teenager.

Will he be ok?

2007-06-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Joey is married and he seemed very happy at the wedding, but will he be ok. His new bride seemed a bit upset when I gave them a check for $850. Apparently she expected more...I wonder if she thought Joey would get more money. Maybe I need to change the will so that they won't get funds from us unless they have children.

Wow

2007-06-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

I am in major like with the hottest guy-Jorge! Sweet Jorge, sweet STRONG Jorge!

He likes me too, so he says. We've kissed and played and tickled and went on a date-bowling! So sweet, sweet Jorge!

Pharmacy

2007-06-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Pharmacy has been updated with some new medicines. A cold pill, a diet pill and a sleeping aid, thus far. We also still have love aids available and can create on an as needed basis vaccines for many other viral infections. There's a young man at university that I think will be a perfect trainee for the medical centre. I hope so...I'm getting older. I retired as Chief of Staff at SC Regional and now manage the Medical Centre full time.

Love is Sweet

2007-06-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

I got promoted and am now an elementary school teacher (I teach 3rd grade). I invited Jadhira out for skating to celebrate. I believe that I fell in love with her then. Her eyes and her hair and her smile. Everything was beautiful and the birds were singing. Wonderful! I wonder what the next step will be...that day we woohoo'd everywhere! The car! The photo booth! Everywhere and lots of times. At the end of our date we were so tired! But happy!

Revived

2007-05-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

Ellsworth and I have seemed to revive our romance. He's much more attentive to my needs and we seem to always be in the bed talking about our future plans and life at the moment. The hood council seemed to take my advice about the medical center to heart since they have increased the square footage of the center by adding a third floor, expanding the rehabilitation rooms and adding additional recovery rooms. I wish they would ask me to manage the facility. I would retire as Chief of Staff from SC Regional and help bring the Apple Valley Medical Centre to a better future!

It's Mah Birthday!

2007-05-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

I'ma teen! Ima teen!!! whoopie!!! I can't wait to have lots of parties and fun fun fun!!! Now, I need to find the cute guys in the hood!

Future Daughter-in-Law

2007-05-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

I met my future daughter-in-law at our twins graduation party on campus. She seems like a sweet girl, but she distrubs me. I'm not sure if she truly loves Joey or if there is something else going on. We talked about the recent rash of colds that spread through the hood, which was nice of her since she's not into health as much as she is into simoleans and business. She will be running the Farmer's Market. I suppose Joey would be there helping her out. I wonder where they would live? Her childhood home is quite crowded. Maybe the boarding house.

Engaged

2007-05-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

I proposed to Giselle Mendenhall. She's so sweet and nice to me. She helps me with homework a lot. She said yes. I am happy. Sims say I'm dumbz but she luvs me and she sayz yes! I will graduate soon from university. I think I'll move to the boarding house and find a job, I have to pay back these loans for skool.

The Medical Centre

2007-05-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Medical Centre is calling our name. Should we take over the centre and help it bring in new customers? Give lectures and educate the hood about thier health or should we retire in peace? We went to the centre and ran into Ayanna Kent, the hood president. I had a few words for her regarding the facility and she asked me to give a proposal at the next hood meeting. I shall! The centre needs updated equiptment and more room. The swimming pool can barely hold two sims and the rehabilitation room is crowded with it's equiptment. Maybe a third floor would help bring in some neccessary room.

Finally

2007-05-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Jadhira and I have had an official date. We met in her backyard and ate grilled fish. Then we danced in the rain. She's a fascinating woman. Very nice. We talked about my students and her training with the florist shop. She wants to take over the shop one day. Which means she will need to save simoleans to buy the shop-sounds easy, except that she's not getting paid very much. She doesn't pay room or board-in fact, she owns the apartment over the florist shop, she brought it with the money she traveled with, but she's barely making enough to keep groceries in the fridge, let alone get decent furniture and save money to buy the shop later on. Is that fair? We're going out again. She wants to go to the grand opening of Tati's, so we're doing that on simThursday, but before then I want to take her skating. I never been skating before!

Update

2007-04-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

Ellsworth is considering retirement, I don't know why-he just started his new position.

Johan decided to abadon the medical field and go into education. Ellsworth is a bit upset and I admit I am disappointed as well, however Johan is better off for education than the medical field...I don't think he would have survived.

Jadhira Jadhira Jadhira

2007-04-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, Jadhira. I hear your name whispered in the wind. The wind says you're the one for me, but is it true? I talked with Elaine, a distant relative, and she said that you and I would be good for each other. We talked on the telly when you asked me what color my hair and eyes were and you gathered information for the database. I hear that you're the serious type, quiet too, but that you lack skills and dropped out of university. O! O! Not sure if father will allow such a thing, but alas, I saw your picture on the website and I think we may have passed on the sidewalk, like lovers in the wind.

Welcome

2007-03-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

I was the "lucky" one to pull the straw, so I have to post the first...post?

We are the Dawson family. Jan, my wife is the Chief of Staff at Sim City Memorial Hospital, I (Ellsworth) am a medical researcher at the same hospital and am considering transfering to the local medical clinic. Our oldest son, Johan, just moved back from university a few days ago. I'm not sure what that young man will be doing. The twins, Jodi and Joey, are in university. They are freshmen, Jodi is going through a "phase" as Jan likes to call it and Joey...well, we're glad he made it to university before they made the entrance test harder. Jolie is a teenager and is currently fascinated with making the perfect apple torte, which has led to my increased waistline. Finally our youngest, Janet, just entered private school and will not stop begging for a wombat.

That's our family. I've done my duty, now I'm off to read the Simish Medical Journal, there's a very exciting article about the newest vaccine for Sibulis Turbals.